Number Our Days – Pt. 1 (Psalm 90)

Number Our Days – Pt. 1 (Psalm 90)

Introduction

  • Historically preached at end of the year. Church of England (19c) read this at funerals.
  • Moses probably prayed this for Israel near the end of his life. He looked out across the Dead Sea at the Promised Land that would be divided among the twelve tribes. Appreciating the hills, valleys, and vegetation, he meditated upon the sovereignty and justice of God.

Read Psalm 90

  • He likely prayed this prayer before the people, warning and encouraging the next generation to persevere.
  • Meditation (1-11) > Petition (12-17). Moses shows us the right attitude of prayer, before moving to his requests.
  • Those who lead God’s people should pray for them, and possess the character of a “man of God”.
  • As we analyze the details of this prayer let us not forget Moses’ example. May we resolve to be people of prayer.
    1. Our Shelter (1-2)
    2. Our Judge (3-11)
    3. Our Help (12-17) PM Service

Our Shelter (1-2)

  • 1 The Lord is our shelter/comfort, just as He has been and will continue to be. God always preserved his people, although not always peaceful.
  • 2 God was before Genesis! From all eternity He has been God. He’s unchangeable in contrast with man. He has been that God for every generation.
  • He existed before giving birth to creation. Why birth rather than create? Emphasizes God’s personal investment and intimacy (Deut. 32:18).
  • God never abandoned the Israelites who routinely grumbled to Moses for bringing them out into the wilderness to die.
  • In fact, they did die in the wilderness because they refused to enter into the Promised Land (Num. 14:20-33).
  • On average 15,000 people died annually in the wilderness. That’s 41 funerals every day! Imagine their constant state of mourning.
  • The Lord had not abandoned them. He led them throughout the Exodus and promised victory.
  • Christ on the cross, was abandoned by His Father, that God might remain your God, even through your rebellious wandering.
  • If God loves you now, he set that love upon you before creation—knowing how fickle you would be. And God continues to love you forever!
  • Do you believe this? If he was your “dwelling place” in 2017 he will be so in 2018!

God’s eternality strengthens our faith, encourages our obedience, but strikes terror in unbelievers…